KNIGHTS I-7: Thirst of the Supreme (Dagger Knights)

Prologue

"What are we going to do here, Liam?" Saellyn asked while roaming her eyes around the set-up. Kumapit pa siya sa braso ng manager na abala sa pag-aayos ng mukha.

Paniguradong may shoot sa lugar na 'to, halata na rin naman sa mga staffs na abala sa mga trabaho.

"May kakausapin lang ako, mahal kong alaga. After kong makipag-chikahan, gumora na tayo papauwi. Okay? Patience, my baby, okay?" sopistakadang saad ng manager niya at hinalikan pa siya sa pisngi.

"Liam, naman, e. Lagi mo ako iniwan kung saan-saan," nakanguso niyang reklamo rito.

"Babalik agad ako, mahal, promise. Alam ko namang gutom ka na, e. I just need to find Aristocle around, may ibibigay lang daw sa akin ang gurlalush na 'yon," paliwanag nito.

Saellyn nodded her head. "Hmp, bakla ka talaga, bilisan mo ha? Kumukulo na mga dragons sa tummy ko."

"Masusunod po, aking kamahalan."

Her manager fixed her hair first before walking away.

She just sat there while roaming her eyes around. Some people are busy, pakiramdam niya tuloy ay bigating pelikula ang isho-shoot dito sa dami ng tao.

"Hello there, gorgeous. What's a pretty lady doing here in the corner?"

Saellyn immediately looked at the person who approached her. A trans woman, and she quickly felt comfortable around her.

"Ahm, hello. What should I address you?" nakangiti niyang tanong dito.

Ngumiti ito nang malapad bago umupo sa tabi niya. "I see, a beautiful woman who respect our gender. My pronouns are she and her, darling. What's your name?"

"I'm Saellyn." Nilahad niya ang kamay rito na agad namang tinanggap ng kausap.

"Why are you sitting here alone? Do you know someone from here? An actor, or actresses?" malambing nitong tanong.

"I'm actually an actress, I'm with my manager but he went somewhere to look for someone. You look pretty also, by the way," puri niya rito.

Agad na lumabas ang matamis na ngiti sa mukha ng kaharap bago siya haplusin sa pisngi. "You're so sweet, I like you! And you're an actress also, right? How come I've never heard about you? You deserve to be known by everyone, to be famous, darling."

She bit her lower lip. "I guess I'm not lucky enough to be one?"

Malambing siyang niyakap nito. "No, don't think about that. Ang ganda ganda mo, oh. Kakaiba 'yang ganda mo sa ibang mga aktres, kaya nga noong nakita kita rito I was immediately attracted by your beauty."

Namumulang tumungo siya. Her team always praise her about her looks and she got used to it. Iba pa rin pala talaga kapag nakatanggap ng papuri sa ibang tao.

"Thank you, po." Nginitian niya ito nang marahan.

"Oh gosh, Aristocle! Nandito ka lang palang bruha ka!"

Sabay silang napalingon nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Liam walked towards them before greeting the trans woman beside her.

"My gosh, Liam! It's so nice to see you again. Kailan tayo last na nagkita?" excited na tanong ni Aristocle rito.

Saellyn bit her lower lip. Ito pala ang tinutukoy ng manager niya kanina.

"Last year pa, bakla! Nai-stress ang bangs ko sa 'yo. Lagi kang nasa ibang bansa. Buti at naisipan mo pang umuwi sa Pinas?" maarteng saad ng manager niya rito.

"I wasn't planning to come back here, actually. But, you know how maarte our clan is. Nabalitaan ko kung sino ang leading lady ng alaga kong si Dagger, at hindi ko gusto ang aura-han ng babaitang 'yon. Napakasama ng ugali. So I need to go home and I need to bully that woman. Tinarayan ko na't lahat-lahat, dikit pa rin nang dikit sa alaga ko!" frustrated na saad nito.

"Is that Madelaine? I heard she's really a brat. Napakaraming umiyak na staffs dahil sa katarayan at kalupitan niyan."

"Yes, Liam, that woman is really getting into my nerves."

"By the way, nakahanap na ba kayo ng actress for the second lead role? Sa pagkakarinig ko kasi wala pa kayong nahahanap," Liam added.

Saellyn just stayed silent over there. Ayaw niyang makisingit sa usapan ng mga ito kaya nakikinig na lang siya.

"Hindi pa rin ako nagmamadaling pumili kasi matagal pa naman bago lumabas 'yung character ng second female lead. So you know, I just need to unwind sometimes. But you know what? Over here, she's Saellyn. She looks so gorgeous right? And I heard that she's also an actress!" excited na saad ni Aristocle na nagpalaki ng mga mata ni Saellyn.

Liam quickly looked at her. "Ay malamang dyosa talaga 'yan, alaga ko 'yan bakla!"

"Oh gosh, really?" tili ng isa.

Her manager nodded. "Alagang Liam kaya ganyan kabongga 'yan. Oh 'diba? Mas maganda pa sa mga sikat na artista ngayon!"

"Yes! That's what I told her a while ago. I'm actually wondering kung bakit never ko pa siyang nakita sa screen. Buti na lang pala alaga mo siya, bakla!"

"At bakit naman?"

"I want her to be my Dagger's second lead in this series!"

Parehas na nanlaki ang mga mata nilang dalawa ni Liam nang sabihin nito iyon.

"What? Me? Wait, I'm r-really not a good--"

"No, darling. You're the perfect one for the second lead role! The character possessed this sophisticated aura and you're the perfect one who suits that role, baby. Kaya sige na please? Accept my offer. Ayokong palagpasin ang pagkakataon na 'to. Your beauty is ethereal," pagmamakaawa nito.

Saellyn bit her lower lip. Paano naman siya makakatanggi rito kung nakapabait nito sa kaniya?

She's really doomed!